The Master of Science (MSc) Program in Global China Studies is an interdisciplinary program which focuses on four broad subject areas, Economic and Social History, Comparative Humanities, Contemporary China, and Quantitative Social Analysis, providing students global and local perspectives on China’s past and present. It equips students with capacity building, especially capability of analysis, verbal communication and writing in a professional manner, for further study as well as to make a successful transition for future employment. In addition, the program is designed to enable advanced undergraduates from elite universities to take on the challenge of postgraduate study in Global China Studies and receive both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Global China Studies normally within four to five years.

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

1. General Admission Requirements of the University

Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.

2. Program-Specific Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree with a grade average of 3.0 out of 4.0; and

One of the following:

IELTS: 7.0 (all sub-scores: 6.5)

TOEFL pBT: 600

TOEFL iBT: 100

First language being English

Having obtained a bachelor’s degree awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English

For early admission of non-local applicants under nomination by strategic partner universities:

Having completed all the undergraduate coursework requirements with a cumulative grade average (CGA) of 3.0 out of 4.0; and

Having fulfilled the program-specific English language requirement specified above

3. Additional Information

Applicants who are HKUST graduates and have taken MGCS courses during their undergraduate studies may apply for transferring up to 12 of these credits to the MSc program upon admission.

For early admission of non-local applicants under nomination by strategic partner universities:

If admitted to the MSc program, students will remain registered as undergraduates in their home universities.

Upon completion of the MSc degree requirements, these students are required to submit an official copy of their bachelor’s degree certificate to the Program Office no later than 31 August each year in order to be conferred the MSc degree in Global China Studies at HKUST.

The chosen elective courses should cover at least two of the following subject areas, and include at least two China-related courses:

History and Social Science

MGCS 5002

MGCS 5003

MGCS 5005

MGCS 5020

MGCS 5021

MGCS 5022

MGCS 5023

Quantitative Social Analysis

MGCS 5011

MGCS 5012

Humanities and Creativity Arts

MGCS 5030

MGCS 5031

MGCS 5032

MGCS 5033

MGCS 5034

MGCS 5035

Subject to the approval of the Academic Director, students may take MGCS 6000 under the above subject areas to fulfill the elective requirement.

MGCS 6000

In exceptional circumstances, students may substitute no more than six elective credits (two courses) from other courses (and a maximum of one undergraduate course at 4000-level) offered by the School of Humanities and Social Science to fulfill the program requirements with prior approval of the Academic Director. The approved substituting courses should be either China-related or global-related.